Comparison Between Three Different Endurance Tests in Professional Soccer Players

Abstract

The aims of this study were (a) to assess and correlate interval shuttle run test (ISRT) performance, maximum oxygen uptake (V[Combining Dot Above]O(2)max), running economy (RE), running velocity at the first rise in blood lactate concentrations above baseline (vLT) and running velocity at 4 mmol·L(-1) blood lactate concentration (v4) in professional soccer players and (b) to investigate whether a correlation exists between the respective results of time to exhaustion (T(lim)) from continuous and intermittent endurance tests, respectively. Eleven male professional field soccer players (mean ± SD: age 23.8 ± 3.0 years, V[Combining Dot Above]O(2)max 58.2 ± 4.9 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1)) completed a continuous Incremental Test with lactate measurements to determine vLT and v4, a continuous Ramp Test with gas exchange analysis to determine V[Combining Dot Above]O(2)max and RE, and an intermittent ISRT to determine intermittent endurance capacity during the first week of preseason preparation. There were significant correlations between ISRT performance and V[Combining Dot Above]O(2)max (r = 0.70, p < 0.05), and between T(lim) in both continuous endurance tests (r = 0.89, p < 0.01). Between all other variables no significant correlations were found overall (best r = 0.60, p > 0.05). The assessment of all values of V[Combining Dot Above]O(2)max, RE, vLT, and v4 should be included when investigating aerobic endurance performance among groups or over time in professional soccer players. Although V[Combining Dot Above]O(2)max, RE, vLT, and v4 have been regarded as important factors of aerobic performance in endurance related sports, the present data revealed that V[Combining Dot Above]O(2)max was the only factor, which correlated with intermittent endurance capacity in professional soccer players. Hence, V[Combining Dot Above]O(2)max should be increased through soccer-specific training interventions including universal agility components. The T(lim) in continuous and intermittent endurance tests differs and is therefore an independent endurance performance factor in professional soccer players.

Different Endurance Characteristics of Female and Male German Soccer Players

“…A recent study revealed a correlation between v2 and Yo-Yo test performance ( r =0.73 P =0.003) in female soccer players [16]. In contrast, no correlation was found between v2, v4 and v max and ISRT performance in male soccer players, confirming previous research [12]. These data may hypothetically show that the predominantly aerobic metabolism, as assessed here via the lactate threshold, is more important for intermittent running performance in female than in male soccer players.…”

“…The incremental test was performed on a dry 400 m outdoor allweather running track with running shoes as reported previously [12]. The track was marked every 50 m with pylons and an acoustic signal was used to control the running speed.…”

“…Previous research has revealed no significant correlation between lactate threshold and intermittent shuttle run performance in professional male soccer players ( r =0.28 P >0.05) [12]. In contrast, it has been shown that a correlation exists between lactate threshold and intermittent shuttle run performance in elite female soccer players ( r =0.73 P =0.003) [16].…”

Differences in Anthropometric Characteristics and Physical Capacities Between Junior and Adult Top-Level Handball Players

“…All anthropometric and physical capacity tests were performed on one day during the pre-season preparation, where all players had attained a high-performance level. The tests were performed as previously described (28,29) and were conducted in the following order: (a) anthropometric measures, (b) speed and COD tests, (c) SJ and CMJ tests, (d) a bench press test, (e) four different core strength-endurance tests, and (f) an intermittent shuttle running test. Before testing, the duration of the summer break and pre-season preparation as well as number of training sessions were approximately the same for juniors (i.e., six weeks, six weeks, and 36 sessions, respectively) and adults (i.e., four weeks, four weeks, and 40 sessions, respectively).…”

“…Finally, for the intermittent endurance test, the players performed an interval shuttle run test (ISRT) (28). Thereby, the players ran 20 m shuttles at progressively increasing velocities controlled by audio signals from a computer.…”